Scholarship of teaching and learning

Since 2015, members of the academic staff have been able to apply for the scholarship of teaching and learning. This is a two-year program with financial support to encourage the development of teaching and help spread best teaching experiences. We consider the grant as a means to support the development of evidence-based teaching in our university.  Thus, the scholarship has been meaningful in terms of influencing the teaching culture at the University of Tartu. People who have received the scholarship have reported that the fact that they had received the grant is noticed, valued and appreciated by their colleagues. 

The programme is funded by the University of Tartu. The scholarship consists of travel allowance to gain teaching experiences and introduce study results at international conferences and development activities with colleagues. The overall sum is 30,000 euros per field.

The scholarship has been available for all members of the teaching staff. Each year, the committee has chosen three applicants from each faculty who are willing to systematically analyse and develop their teaching practices as well as share their experiences.

The following documents should be submitted to apply for the scholarship:

1. Analysis of teaching development that contains 
2. A research project to study one’s teaching (action research) (up to 4 A4 pages).

During the selection process, the committee considers: the university teacher’s previous activity in developing teaching and supporting students’ development; the feasibility of the proposed development ideas and their research, the possible positive impact on teaching quality in the institute and at the university in general.

Applications are reviewed by lecturers who received the scholarship in previous years, and academic developers. The scholarships are granted by the study committee. All university teachers who would like to apply for the scholarship, can receive individual counselling.

The programme of scholarship of teaching and learning is coordinated by the UT Centre for Professional Development. Additional information: Mari Karm, mari.karm@ut.ee or Airi Niilo, airi.niilo@ut.ee, phone 5699 3535.